Finding honest vendors is a networking benefit

February 7, 2007

We always talk about the value of business networking groups in terms of getting new business, but there are other benefits as well. One benefit not often discussed is that you find vendors who are reliable, who offer exceptional service and may even give you a discount.

This is a two-edged sword. On the one hand, we all want people standing up at meetings and saying: “I did business with Ed, and he did a great job for me!” That leads to more business, so we try hard to do well for others in the group.

On the other hand, we don’t want people standing up and saying (or even whispering): “Ed, over there, really messed up the job he did for me,” or, worse, “I did business with Ed, and he cheated me!” Once that happens, you might as well just quit going to the meetings, because your chances of getting business drop close to zero. So we all try hard to take good care of our networking friends, and build a great reputation.

So here are two stories for you.

Sergio Pinto saved the day!

We do on-line banking with BankAtlantic. Something new for us, after a lifetime of writing checks.

My wife had a telephone discussion with a bank customer service representative over how to stop payment on a check if necessary. That turned into a misunderstanding where the bank mistakenly actually stopped payment on a check.

This was not just any check – it was the premium to renew the homeowner’s insurance. By the time Barbara discovered the error, the premium was a week overdue, and she was sure the insurance company would cancel the policy.

She spent an hour on the phone, trying to get BankAtlantic to reverse the error. There was one comic exchange where someone told her she had to fax a signed document to reverse the mistake. “But you managed to stop payment without a signed document!” she said.

I was at a meeting while all this was going on. I got an earful when I walked through the door at 10 p.m.

“Relax,” I said. “I’ll take care of it!”

I sent an e-mail to Sergio Pinto, manager of the BankAtlantic branch in Palmetto Bay. “Help!!” And another e-mail to Phil Lyons of InSource, Inc., my insurance agent and chairman this year of Chamber South: “Don’t let them cancel the policy!”

First thing the next morning, Sergio cut a new check and hand-delivered it to Phil. Problem solved, all because of relationships developed through networking. Thanks, guys! I’m a hero! (Well, Sergio is the hero…)

This is Jo Carpio, left, and Jigo Cuison of Miami Airport Fast Park. If you see them at a meeting, ask them “Why did you cheat Ed?” Ask loudly, so everybody hears, then tell me what they say.

The second story involves Miami Airport Fast Park. They retained me to do some public relations work for them. We had a written agreement. I did the work, and they tried to get out of paying. They offered 25% of the agreed-on price, which I turned down. They expected a further service that I did not agree to provide, which was not in the written agreement.

This is a very rare occurrence within the networking groups, for the reasons that I stated above.

As small business people, most of the deals we make are relatively small in terms of dollars, and it’s not worth the cost of hiring a lawyer and the time and emotional involvement to sue. All we have to protect ourselves is the word-of-mouth within the networking organizations.

So you do not see the Miami Airport Fast Park people at the networking meetings anymore. They know, if I see them, I will walk over to their table and say: “Hello, everybody. These people cheated me, and if you are thinking of doing business with them, get cash up front. Don’t trust a handshake, and even a written agreement isn’t enough. Have a nice day.”

If you happen to see them at a meeting, say: “I hear Ed is coming,” and they probably will slither away.

That’s the penalty for cheating someone within a networking group. All of you have that power, and it’s a weapon you should not be afraid to use. Don’t be shy about speaking up. It’s in everyone’s best interest if we are honest about our dealings with others.